Dueitt students learn by helping others

Amanda Waters

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, December 23, 2003

The community based class is a class for children with various disabilities, and is designed to incorporate lessons in life skills with academic lessons. In the spring of 2002, Thomas took that concept one step further by developing and implementing a program that combines community service and academic learning. The program, called Building Bridges - Helping Others, Helping Ourselves, has been a hit with the students as well as teachers and administrators across the Spring school district.

"When the students go out, not only does the community benefit, but students benefit by practicing skills like reading, writing and math," Thomas said. "And it helps build self-esteem, because they are able to help others and be leaders in their school and the community."

Most recently, Thomas' students collected toys for the Ronald McDonald House. They did this by holding a garage sale and using the money to open a savings account at Bank of America. Thomas said this gave the students an opportunity to practice money skills as well as learn about banking.

"I loved helping out at the Ronald McDonald House," said sixth grader Sarah Chippendale. "It was fun getting to buy toys for the kids and bring them the toys."

Thomas' students have also gone to Atria Assisted Living, where they read or participate in arts and craft-type activities with the residents; and have gone to Anderson Elementary school where they read stories to the children there. Reading at Anderson, is a favorite for many of the students, Thomas said, especially Elizabeth Zakes.

"I love working with younger children," Zakes said.

Earlier in the year, the students sponsored a contest at Dueitt to collect the tabs off of aluminum soda cans. The students were able to practice their writing, as they publicized the contest, and their math skills by counting the tables and estimating weight. Students turned the tabs in for money, which they then donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

Another service activity for students was a canned food drive that they sponsored at Dueitt to benefit Spring Assistance Ministries. Thomas said that students were able to learn about nutrition and reading labels during this activity.

Thomas and his class are already planning activities for the spring which include returning to the Atria, reading at Baldwin Boettcher Library, working at Mercer Arboretum and doing cleaning along the mile they've adopted on Aldine Westfield.

Thomas also noted that he's hoping to get other students at Dueitt and possibly other Spring schools involved in some of the projects, and is talking to the student council, National Junior Honor Society and special education classes at other schools.

"My goal is to incorporate all students, those with disabilities and those without," Thomas said. "Students will not only be helping the community, but be learning about each other as well."

Thomas also noted that the principles in the Building Bridges program can be applied to all students, regardless of academic level; the activities just have to be adapted to fit the students' needs.

Thomas said that his students have particularly enjoyed the shopping and reading activities, and that many of the students' reading levels have increased two or three grade levels since participating in the Building Bridges program.

"And reading is something I'm very passionate about," he added.

Thomas' enthusiasm for his program is beginning to spread, and has gotten a lot of support from Dueitt principal Michelle Kronke, and the community based class supervisor. Thomas also noted that he has begun working on a grant proposal to continue the Building Bridges program, and has been talking with teachers and administrators at Wuensche, Wells Middle School and Spring High School about incorporating Building Bridges at their schools.

"I firmly believe in community service learning," Thomas said. "I did it in Philadelphia where I taught before, and I really believe it helps the students to be more productive citizens.